Christmas Beer Crosscut 12.6.19: Candlelight Christmas

And he said unto them: There shall be music this night, and the music shall be beautiful. And he said unto them: This music must be played in candlelight, always and forever in candlelight, for the two belong together. And the music was played with candles, always with candles, for the two belonged together. And he said unto them: Enjoy a self-guided tour through the Meeker Mansion, frost the cookies, drink hot cider, and enjoy the Joysong Victorian Carolers perform for a magical holiday evening … by candlelight. After the magical night in Puyallup, head to Peaks and Pints for a holiday beer flight we call Christmas Beer Crosscut 12.6.19: Candlelight Christmas.

Christmas Beer Crosscut 12.6.19: Candlelight Christmas

One Tree Snow Globe

6.6% ABV

Who doesn’t love glitter? It’s nearly impossible to get out of your cleavage after a night on the town, but it’s festive as hell. And now thanks to edible glitter, your digestive system can be as sparkly as your 1990s eye shadow palette. One Tree Hard Cider Snow Globe is a delicious spiced cider with glitter. We recognize the clove and cinnamon, but the glitter seems like a handful rather than a full dance floor dump.

Everybody’s Pitter Patter Porter

5.6% ABV, 37 IBU

Certainly, no Christmas celebration would be complete without a reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” — which is more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas” or “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The poem was originally published anonymously in 1823, and was later attributed to Moore. “His reindeer all go pitter, patter / Up on the roof with such a clatter / Then down the chimney with a merry ho! ho! / Old Santa comes down with a bound you know. Of course, once down the chimney, Santa would enjoy a quick pint of Everybody’s Brewing Pitter Patter Porter, a rye porter with layers of burnt sugar, caramel and toffee capped with a hint of dark roast and rye spice.

Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger Christmas Ale

8% ABV, 42 IBU

A Christmas beer with a pirate skull and crossbones donning the bottle? This one is for you, Jack Skellington! George and Jane Hancock founded the ma-and-pa Maritime Pacific Brewing Company in an old transmission shop in 1990 in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. In 1997 they opened the Jolly Roger Taproom named, as they say, “in honor of our most popular holiday brew”: Jolly Roger Christmas Ale. A beer fridge staple, Jolly Roger English strong ale combines rich malt character with a blend of fresh Northwest Chinook and Cascade hops.

Ninkasi Sleigh’r Dark Double Alt Ale

7.2% ABV, 60 IBU

Ninkasi Brewing’s motivation for creating Sleigh’r was to make a beer different than other Northwest winter beers that feature big hop profiles and rich caramel flavor. They created a malt-forward yet dry, toasty and hardy beer brewed in the traditional German Alt way, only darker. First released in 2009, Sleigh’r rides roasted barley and Chocolate malts with Nugget hops balancing roasted malt, cooked sugar and a little dark fruit flavors. It’s surprisingly light in body with a dry finish.

Double Mountain Fa La La La La

7.6% ABV, 85 IBU

T’is the season for a big, malty hop bomb. … Double Mountain Brewery loads their annual holiday brew up with enough Centennials to fill Santa’s toy bag. Brewed with Gambrinus Organic Pilsner and Munich malt, imported crystal malts and Centennial hops, this winter ale pours a beautifully, burnt orange and huge fluffy head. Aroma hints at the spiciness that follows in the taste. The spice isn’t overwhelming, but complementary to the malt and hop profiles. Expect lingering savory flavors, with a slick and creamy body.